How should the Atlanta Braves handle extra innings?
Multiple Atlanta Braves approaches
Let’s start with the runner on second base.
The last thing you’d want to see is a runner cut down at third base after a bunt attempt. In fact, in defensive preparations, it’s quite conceivable that teams will watch for the bunt and then “sell-out” for trying to nail that runner at third base.
After all, that runner could represent the winning tally, and whether an opponent then has two chances to score him or three may not matter that much.
So expect to see a player on the bench who has some wheels… somebody who could replace a catcher or other slower player as a pinch-runner in such a situation. This is, in fact, likely regardless of the strategy for the inning, for that runner needs to have a solid chance of scoring on any ball that finds grass in the outfield.
TO BUNT OR NOT TO BUNT?
Oddly enough, the stats pretty more favor the Atlanta Braves simply swinging away. The team leader in sacrifice bunts last season was pitcher Mike Soroka with 7. Max Fried was next with 4 and no position player recorded more than one.
Now: that’s about sacrifices specifically, but there’s more:
- Ronald Acuna: 19
- Ozzie Albies: 18
- (Josh Donaldson: 14)
- Nick Markakis: 13
- Dansby Swanson: 13
Bunts (among non-pitchers):
- Ender Inciarte: 4
- Ozzie Albies: 2
- Charlie Culberson: 2
- Adam Duvall: 1
- Dansby Swanson: 1
Show of hands of everyone who thinks Duvall will be bunting in extra innings? Okay, good… you’re paying attention.
The rest of that group of occasional bunters might be inclined to lay one down, particularly given those coming up behind them.